Refrigerator display case



Sept. 17, 1935. R. s. AHRENS REFRIGERATOR DISPLAY CASE Filed May 23, 1932' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V Momma Sept. 17, 1935. R, s AHREN 2,014,830

REFRIGERATOR DISPLAY CASE Filed May 25, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v lid} 5" 1 l v. v 16 y 15 yet provide a display window Patented Sept. 17 I 1.935

- UNITED "STATES PATENT or ice 2,014,830 REFRIGERATOR. DISPLAY cAsE r' Robert S. Ahrens, St.'.Paul, Minn as signor to -Seeger Refrigerator Company, St. Paul, Minn.,

a corporation of Minnesota Application May 23, 1932, Serial No. 612,9'58

' 6. Claims. 21. 62-37) My invention 'elates to a refrigerator display case having a display window of a unitary-nature which may be readily removed as a unit and replaced if it becomes necessary at 1 I 5. any time. The display window is in the form case in a m'annerto become a part thereof and this frame is sealed to the case so that refrigeration may be used in the case without air leak-- 10. age'around the unit frame. It is also a feature to provide a display window frame jof a unitary. nature, having a seriesof spaced-windows adapted to insulate the inside of the refrigerator case from the outside and oh will be main tained with aclear unobstructed vision thrbugh the window unitu Heretofore display windows have been provided with a multiplicity of spaced panes of glass or windows, however, 'no provision 2 has been made" to prevent dust from collecting 25 ture content between the window-panes and e inside of the refrigerator. I accomplishthis in'a simple and effective manner. V

In making refrigerator display cases it is very desirable that no dust collect between the window-panes so that the contents-of the display case. may be clear and neatly displayed. In the making of these cases the moisture content of the air maybe, of a different nature when the unitary display window-frames are made up as 35 compared to the moisture content of the refrigferator display case-when it is in use to dis-.-

' play. perishable'goods within the same. It is apparent that no open passageways may be provided Y for equalizing the moisture content between the window-panes of the display window of the refrigerator case, otherwise dirt and dust would collect between the window-panes and they could not be readily cleaned without taking the frame 45 alllapart. It is also apparent that through long use and the moisture involved as' well as the re- The features and objects of the\in vention will be apparent in a fuller and better description and between the windows. It is a feature of my inve'ntion' to provi'de a'means of preventing dust,

understanding of the same by means of the specification and drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of my refrigerator display case, a portion of which is broken away.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional detail of a portion of my refrigerator display case. Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional detail through the unitary window'display frame of my refrig erator display case. l The refrigerator display case A may be made any size or constructionas well as having any desirable shape, however, it is designed with a display window .3 which is of a unitary frame-like nature which is removable so as to be readily re placed when it is desired. It is important that the'f-rame be easily replaced owing to the fact that thedisplaywindow is made up of a series' of window-panes-or glass H). To give the best results in the use thereof to be insured of accomplishing the features herein set forth, if any of the glass'is brokenthe frame should be returned to the factory for repair, or, it should be repaired under the supervision of the factory knowing the nature 'of the construction so as to place the unit. back in its original condition.

- The window -panes III are adapted to be spaced apart by the members l2 which with the edgeof the window-panes rest against the thick insulating material l3 whichis madeof rubber or other water-proof material having a nature like pure gum rubber, so as to be soft and yet tough and impregnable like pure gum rubber. The window-panes it are held by the frame member M which extends around the insulating sheet I3 I the inner member l5 which extends marginally around the same on the inside of the same.

The insulating sheet l3 may be extended be- 4 tween the frame portion 15 and the inner glass l 0, as illustrated. The glass panes III are clamped between the spacers l2 bythe outer frame member 16 which is held by thescrews I1 and a rubber sealing sheet I8 is positioned between the.

frame -portions l4 and the outer glass Ill so that when the screws I! .are drawn tight, the panes of glass- ID are held together in the unit frame B whichis ready to be attached to the case A,

The case A has a body portion with insulating walls 20 of any suitable nature. ,In the opening made to receive the window unit frame B, frame portionsii are secured around the opening and when the frame '3 is slipped into place in this opening, the gasket l8 will'bear against these I frame portions 2F and by means of the screws 22 the unitary removable frame B with the transparent panes III will be held in the refrigerator display case A as illustrated. The rubber sealing '5 sheet I8 is sufliciently thick and'pliable. to seal the frame B air tight in operative position. when the frame 'B is in place, ,outer finishing molding portions 23 are secured in place to cover the outer frame member l6 of the unit B. These finish- 10 mg moldings may be finished in anydesirable finish and'may have an enameled color similar to the outer finish of the body of the refrigerator display case A.

In making the display window frame B I pro- 15 vide a series of openings -24, 25 and26, or as .7

- window-panes,

' many openings as may be desired, extending from .between the window-panes and through the inner frame member 15 to connect with the inner compartment" of the refrigerator display case A.

20' These openings or passageways provide a means of-permitting the moisture content of the airbetween the window-panes Ill to .be equalized with that of the moisture content of the inner chamber or refrigerating compartment of the display case A.- These openings 24; 25 and 26 may be positioned at spaced intervals along the top and bottom or around the entire frame, so as to provide a multiplicity of the openings 24, 25 'and25 which will connect the spaces between the window-panes l with'the inner atmosphere of the refrigerator case A. The passageways 24,

, 25 and 26 are not left open for the free circulation of air therethrough. This would be detrimental to the display window unit B as it would permit dust and dirt to cute between the window-panes in the same ma er as has been obj'ectionable with display windows for refrigerator cases heretofore. The passageways 24, 25 and 2!; connecting the inner chamber of the display case obstructs the freecirculation of air through the passageways. This packing or wicking maybe of any suitable nature and may be treated with formaldehyde or other disinfectant which is adapted to overcome and prevent fungi growth between the window-panes Ill and which/will provide a disinfectant of a desirable nature if it is desired." Further, only that portion of the packing 28 adjacent the inner ends connecting 50 with the spaces between the window-panes Ill may be treated with a disinfectant of any suit-- able material'which will disinfect the air between the window-panes l0 and yet not be carried into the refrigerating compartment of the display case J 55 A. The filler 28 in these passageways is of a .65 doors to the refrigerator case A are opened or closed, or during the cleaning of the refrigerator case A, and thus once the frame B is made up with the windows clean and sealed, they will be maintained in this manner throughout the use 70 of the refrigerator display case A; This is very important and accomplishes a long desired result for cases'of this nature. I

The cold interior of the food compartment of the refrigerator is very dry, the moisture in the 75 air being condensed upon the surface of the unit.

are filled with packing or a wicking 28 which Any excess moisture in the es 24, 25 or II or in the filler will be readily taken up by this dryiair. The filler and dry air in the passages will absorb mbisture from the spaces between the panes it until a balance is reached between the 5 moisture content in the air between the panes II and the air within the cold compartment of the refrigerator. I l t f The filling in ,the passageways 24, 25 and 25 does not retard the equalization of moisture content in the air between the glass l0 and that of the refrigerating compartment of the qcase A. The moisture equalizes itself in these respective compartments and spaces in a manner so as to' prevent the collection of steam or fogging of the thereby maintaining a clear transparent vision through the window frame B at all times, clearly displaying the goods within the refrigerator case A. This provides a refrigerator display case with a unitary removable display window frame which it is unnecessary to take apart to clean every little while, nor in fact, is it ever necessary to disturb the frame B in relation to the case A unless the glass I0 is broken, and then it is desirable that the same be placed in repair by the factory or at a place having facili-, ties toreplace the window-panes perfectly clean and sealed together in the manner hereinbefore set forth. I find my refrigerator display case to accomplish these very desirable results in a sim- 30 analyzed in accordance with the scope of the folfrigerator cases having a series of window-panes connected together, means for sealing said panes in relation to each other, tubular passageways extending from between each window-pane to the inside of said frame to connect with a refri erating compartment to which said frame is attached, and a filler means filling completely said passagewaysto prevent dust and dirt from entering between said window-panes and permitting the equalization of moisture content between the same in respect to'the moisture content of the refrigerator to which the frame is attached.

2. A display window for refrigerator cases including, a series of window-panes spaced apart to provide air spaces between the same, tubular passageways connecting the air spaces between the window-panes with the inside of a refrigerator display case, and a filler means entirely fill ing said passageways from end to end to prevent dirt and dust from being carriedthrough said passageways to the air space between said window-panes.

3. A display window for refrigerators including, a multiplicity of window-panes, means for spacing said window-panes apart, tubular passageways leading to the space between said window-panes and connecting this space with the refrigerating compartment of a display case, andv means entirely filling said passageways permitting equalization of moisture content of the air accumulation between the same.

4. A display window for refrigerator cases in- 5 eluding, a multiplicity of -window-panes held spaced apart, means for sealing the edges of said window-panes in a rubber sheathing seal, a frame about said window-panes, means for sealing said frame with a rubber sheathing seal to thebody of a refrigerator display case to permit the rei moval of said frame and to seal the same when in operative position from the outer atmosphere, passageways connecting the air space between the window-panes with the refrigerating compartment of a display case, and filler means in said passageways from the refrigerator compartment to the spaces between the window-panes to 1 prevent the collection of dust between the win dow-panes, said filler means including a disinfectant means to prevent the growth of fungi between the window-panes.

5. A display window for refrigerator display cases including, a series of window-panes, means for sealing the edges of said window-panes by cushioning means like sheet rubber, a frame for supporting said window-panes removable as a unit,. means for sealing the unit with a heavy rubber seal to the display case in operative position, and means for permitting the equalization of moisture content between the windows and the inner refrigerating compartment of the display .window-panes with said refrigerating compartment, each passageway having a tubular filler completely filling said tubular passageways to prevent the free passage of air and dust between the window-panes and to permit the equalization of moisture content between said refrigerating compartment and the space between said win- 20 dow-panes.

ROBERT S. AHRENS. 

